Container unit for liquid sample

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an improvement in disposable container units for liquid samples. The container units are particularly useful for the collection of blood specimens. The container unit includes an elongated compressible bulb member having an integral nozzle attached thereto. An elongated storage volume or compartment having a closed and an open end and a small cross sectional area is also provided, the open end being in communication with the bulb member. If the container unit is held vertically upward, liquid in the bulb will not flow freely into the storage volume because of its small cross sectional area. Similarly, if the storage volume contains liquid and is turned upside down, the liquid will not flow from it into the bulb. The improvement comprises a re-entrant tube extending from the nozzle opening into the compressible bulb to prevent aspiration of liquid in the bulb and to provide means for measuring the volume of sample in the container and for expelling excess sample.

[451 May 7,1974

{ CONTAINER UNIT FOR LIQUID SAMPLE [75] Inventor: David I. Kosowsky, Newton Centre,

Mass.

[73] Assignee: Damon Corporation, Needham Heights, Mass.

[22] Filed: Feb. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 333,003

v Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 191,949, Oct. 22, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 128/2 F, 128/272 [51] Int. Cl. A61j I/00 [58] Field of Search 128/2 R, 2 F, DIG. 5, 272, 128/276; 23/259 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,124,285 l/1915 Brown 128/D1G. 5 UX 1,570,346 1/1926 Hahn 128/272 1,589,056 6/1926 Drummond. 128/276 X 2,349,962 5/1944 Harris 128/272 X 2,573,637 10/1951 Bender 128/272 2,595,493 5/1952 Slaby et a1. 128/DIG. 5 X 2,737,812 3/1956 Haak 23/259 X 2,965,255 12/1960 Gerarde 128/276 X 3,322,114 5/1967 Portnoy et a1 128/2 F FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 124,141 5/1947 Australia 128/272 683,602 4/1964 Canada 128/2 F 1,031,641 6/1966 Great Britain. 9 128/2 F 90,721 12/1967 France 128/2 F Primary ExaminerLucie H. Laudenslager Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kenway & Jenney 57 ABSTRACT This invention relates to an improvement in disposable container units for liquid samples. The container units are particularly useful for the collection of blood specimens. The container unit includes an elongated compressible bulb member having an integral nozzle attached thereto. An elongated storage volume or compartment having a closed and an open end and a small cross sectional area is also provided, the open end being in communication with the bulb member. If the container unit is held vertically upward, liquid in the bulb will not flow freely into the storage volume because of its small cross sectional area. Similarly, if the storage volume contains liquid and is turned upside d own, the liquid will not flow from it into the bulb. The improvement comprises a re-entrant tube extending from the nozzle opening into the compressible bulb to prevent aspiration of liquid in the bulb and to provide means for measuring the volume of sample in the container and for expelling excess sample.

10 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an improvement in container units for collecting, storing and treating liquid samples for analysis, particularly for the collection of blood samples. The invention of this application is an improvement in the container unit described and claimed in the co-pending application of Wesley G. Perry and James F. Marten, Ser. No. 105,930 filed Jan. 12, 1971 entitled Container Unit for Liquid Samples and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

BACKGROUND AND GENERAL DESCRIPTIO OF THE INVENTION of the bulb portion of the container is substantially greater than the storage volume. The storage volume is defined by a long, relatively thin tube or compartment whose diameter is chosen so that it is not selfventing i.e., liquid samples ingested through the nozzle into the compressible bulb will not simply flow into the storage volume by gravity from the bulb portion if the container unit is positioned so that the longitudinal axis of the storage volume tube is positioned vertically. Rather they must be shaken down" into the storage volume tube in the manner one shakes down a clinical thermometer.

Once the blood sample is in the storage volume, however, it will remain therein during transit from the location where the sample was taken to the analysis location, despite the actual orientation during transit.

In order to insure that sufficient sample had been collected, the bulb, of the container unit heretofore disclosed was provided with an indicator on its side and was made of translucent material. When the unit was held vertically with the nozzle uppermost, the level of liquid collected could be observed with respect to the indicator and if more were required, air could be expelled from the bulb member and additional sample collected. This was done before shaking the sample down. After the sample was shaken down, any excess collected over that required to fill the storage volume was simply expelled from the bulb portion of the container unit. 4

While sample containers such as those described in the U5. application of Perry et al. cited above have proved extremely useful, collection of samples sometimes required several squeezings of the bulb to collect the correct volume of sample. Liquid in the container would sometimes inadvertently be sprayed out of the unit.

Further, the requirement of the prior unit that the sample be ingested into the bulb, measured, shaken down, and the excess expelled slowed down the collection process to some extent since it required that the nozzle be removed from the vicinity of the sample source. It became apparent that a means for determin- 2 ing the amount of sample without having to invert the container unit, was desirable.

To this end, I have provided in container units of the type described in the Perry et al. application cited above, a re-entrant tube extending into the bulb portion of the container of pre-determined length. The inner diameter of this type is of substantially the same diameter as the nozzle and its axis is coaxial with the nozzle axis. The length of the tube is chosen so that when the container unit is in the vertical position with the nozzle down, an amount of liquid in the bulb sufficient to fill it to the end of the tube is substantially equal to the volume of the storage tube.

As previously described, the container unit is preferably made of a transparent or translucent plastic material so that both the end of the tube and the liquid may be seen through the walls of the bulb.

In use, for example in collecting a blood sample, the bulb is compressed and the nozzle is placed in the blood to be collected. The bulb is allowed to expand, with the unit in the vertical position until a sufficient amount of liquid is collected to just reach the end of the tube. If a sufficient amount is not collected the-first time,' the nozzle is removed from the liquid and squeezed again. Because the liquid collected the first time will be belowthe level of the tube, it is'not expelled by this second'collapse of the bulb. The nozzle is again placed in the liquid to be collectedand a second amount is ingested into the bulb. This process may be repeated as often as is necessary to complete the collection of a sufficient sample. Thereafter the sample may be stored in the storage tubein the manner described in the Perry et al. application. 7

If an excess of sample is collected the unit need only be removed from the sample source and the bulb squeezed several times, expelling any excess to waste with the unit held vertically. The liquid below the end of the tube will not be expelled, thus automatically obtaining the desired sample volume in the container unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES A more complete description of the container unit made according to the invention is included in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing in which:

The drawing is a perspective view of the container unit of the invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawing, the container unit of the in- .vention includes a squeezable bulb member, generally indicated at 10, having a nozzle 12 formed at one end thereof. The nozzle has a bore 12a extending through it. In the construction illustrated in the drawing, the container unit is made in two separable parts. The sample storage volume 14 is formed in the lower portion, generally indicated at 16.

' container The bulb unit includes reinforcing collars 18 and 20 formed at each end thereof. The sidewalls of the intermediate these collars are semitransparent when formed of thin section plastic material such as polyethylene or the like.

A Luer taper is formed on the outside of the collar 20 and mates with a corresponding taper formed by the interior surface 22a of the collar 22 which is formed at the upper end of the member 16. When the collar 20 is nested within the collar 22, the Luer taper provides a liquid tight seal between the two members.

The storage member 16 also includes a card-like stiffening member 23 which may be integrally formed with the storage tube or compartment 14 and the collar 22. As described in the Perry et al. application, sample identifying data may be written on or attached to this card.

A cap 24 may be provided for the nozzle 12 to maintain the sterility of the container during storage, before use, and following use. As shown the cap is provided with a tapered base 24a which is a frictional fit over the nozzle 12. i

As so far described, the container unit shown in the drawing is, except for minor details, substantially the same as the container unit previously disclosed in the Perry et al. application cited above.

The improvement which I have made consists in the addition to the foregoing structure of the tube 26. This tube, in manufacture, is molded integrally with the bulb member 10 and extends from the nozzle inwardly a predetermined distance as will be described. The bore in the tube-26 is coaxial with the bore in the nozzle 12a and of substantially the same diameter.

The length and outer diameter of tube 26 are chosen so that the volume defined between the outside wall of the tube and the inside of the side wall and upper end wall of the bulb member 10 is equal or substantially so to the inside volume of the storage tube 14. The measuring volume is essentially annular in shape, the cross section being equal to the inside cross section of the bulb member less the outside cross-section of the tube 26. This cross section is multiplied by the length of tube 26 enclosed within the bulb member to determine the total measuring volume. It may, of course, be necessary to lengthen the tube slightly to account for reductions in volume resulting from rounding of the inside of the bulb member at its upper end.

Prior to use, the three parts of the unit are assembled, the outside of collar 20 of the bulb member 10 engaging the inside surface 22a of the collar 22 and the cap 24 being on nozzle 12. If it is desired to use the unit to collect blood samples, the interior surfaces-of the bulb member 10 and storage member 16 are desirably coated with an anti-coagulant.

When it is desired to collect a sample of liquid, the cap 24 is removed and the unit is placed in an approximately vertical position, nozzle down. The side walls of the bulb unit 10 are squeezed together by finger pressure to expel air, the end of nozzle 12 is placed in the liquid to be sampled and the side walls allowed to expand, sucking liquid into thebulb through the bore 120 in the nozzle 12 and through the bore in tube 26. When the liquid in the bulb member rises to a level such that it is at the top of the tube 26, the nozzle may be removed from the liquid since an amount'of liquid sufficient to file the storage volume has been collected.

If the side walls of the bulb l0 reach their fullyexpanded condition without a' sufficient volume of liquid in the bulb member, the nozzle need merely be removed from the liquid and the bulb collapsed by finger pressure and an additional amount of liquid collected. There is no danger that liquid already in the bulb unit will he accidentally expelled when the bulb is collapsed, since the liquid level is below the level of the inner end of tube'26.

If an excess of liquid is collected, this may be expelled simply by collapsing the bulb until all liquid above the inner end of the tube 26 is expelled.

In this way it is possible, with the container unit incorporating the invention, to simply and conveniently collect a known volume of sample liquid in the bulb member.

Following'collection the container unit is inverted so that the sample liquid is in the bottom of the bulb member surrounded, in part, by the collars 22 and 24. it may then be shaken down as described in the Perry et al. application previously cited forstorage and the cap 24 replaced. 7

When it is desired to analyze the sample, the bulb 10 and cap 24 may be removed from the storage unit 16. The unit 16 may serve as a convenient sample container in later processing.

It will thus be apparent that the invention is an improvement in thecontainer unit described in the Perry et al. application cited above which substantially increases the speed and convenience of use of the container unit therein described. This is accomplished by providing a tube extending into the bulb member whose bore is coaxial with the bore of the nozzle and whose length is such that volume defined by the tube length and the area between the outside wall of the tube and the inside wall of the container is substantially equal to the storage volume of the unit.

Having thus described the invention, 1 claim:

1. In container apparatus forthe collection of a selected sample volume of liquid, and having i. a collection chamber with a first volume capacity therein in excess of said selected volume and arranged to have the pressure therein varied selectively to aspirate said liquid thereinto, and to expel liquid therefrom,

ii. a nozzle on said chamber with a bore therein communicating with the interior of said chamber, and

iii. a compartment affixed to said chamber substantially opposite said nozzle and having a maximum volume less than said first volume,

the improvement comprising a tube within said chamber and having an open first end and having a bore therein in line with and con nected with said nozzle bore to be an extension thereof to said first end, the length of said tube to said first end defining, in the space exterior of said tube and within said chamber to a plane transverse to said tube bore at said first end and including said first end, a volume equal to said selected volume.

2. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said collection chamber is squeezable and is self-expandable to vary the volume therein and thereby vary the pressure therein.

3. Container apparatus as defined inclaim 1 further characterized in that said collection chamber has side walls configured and arranged to be squeezed together to diminish the volume therein and allowed to expand to restore said first volume capacity.

4. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 having the further improvement comprising first and second members each forming part of said chamber and together forming the entirety of said chamber, said first member including said nozzle and said tube, and said second member including said compartment, said first and second members being removably and replaceably separable and forming a fluid-tight seal between them when joined together.

5. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said maximum volume of said compartment is equal to said selected volume.

6. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that at least said chamber is fashioned of material having sufficient transparency for viewing the level of liquid therein.

7. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said nozzle and said compartment are opposite each other on said chamber and said tube and thebore therein extend .in line from said nozzle toward said compartment.

8. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the interior of said compartment communicates with the interior of said chamber through an aperture which is sufficiently small, and in that the interior of said compartment is sufficiently fluid-tight except for said aperture; so that said compartment is not self-venting and said aperture blocks the free flow of said liquid between said chamber and said compartment.

9. ln container apparatus for the collection and storage of a liquid, and having i. a chamber with a nozzle and arranged to have the internal pressure thereof changed for the selective aspiration of said liquid thereinto via said nozzle, with a minimal cross sectional area in said chamber larger than a first value and at least a first volume capacity within said chamber, and

ii. a compartment affixed to said chamber and having a maximum second volume therein smaller than said first volume, the interior of said compartment communicating with the interior of said chamber through an aperture of lesser cross section than said first value, and being fluid tight except for said aperture,

iii. with said aperture being sufficiently small, and the interior of said compartment being s ufficiently fluid-tight except for said aperture, so that said compartment is not self-venting and said aperture blocks the free flow of said liquid between said chamber and said compartment,

the improvement comprising a tube having a bore coaxial with said nozzle, said tube extending from said nozzle into said chamber for a tube length such that the chamber volume defined between the outside surface of said tube, the

side and end walls of said bulb member, and aplane including the end of said tube and perpendicular to the tube length, bears a selected relation to said second volume.

10. In container apparatus for the collection of a selected volume of a liquid sample and which includes i. means forming a bulb member with a volume in excess of said selected value and arranged to have the pressure therein varied for aspirating said sample thereinto,

ii. a nozzle having a bore therethrough attached to said bulb member with said nozzle bore extending to the interior of said bulb member and,

iii. means forming an elongated storage volume for the liquid sample and having an open end and a closed end, the open end of the storage volume being in communication with the interior of said bulb member, the cross-sectional area of said storage volume being sufficiently small so that a liquid sample ingested into said bulb member through said nozzle does not flow freely from said bulb member into the storage volume when said storage volume is positioned vertically with its open end upward and liquid contained in the storage volume does not flow freely into the bulb when said storage volume is positioned vertically with its open end downward,

the improvement comprising a tube of predetermined length and having a bore coaxial with said nozzle bore, said tube extending from said nozzle into said bulb member, the tube length being selected such that the volume defined between the outside surface of said tube, the side and end walls of said bulb member, and a plane including the end of said tube perpendicular to the tube length, is

substantially equal to said selected volume. 

1. In container apparatus for the collection of a selected sample volume of liquid, and having i. a collection chamber with a first volume capacity therein in excess of said selected volume and arranged to have the pressure therein varied selectively to aspirate said liquid thereinto, and to expel liquid therefrom, ii. a nozzle on said chamber with a bore therein communicating with the interior of said chamber, and iii. a compartment affixed to said chamber substantially opposite said nozzle and having a maximum volume less than said first volume, the improvement comprising a tube within said chamber and having an open first end and having a bore therein in line with and connected with said nozzle bore to be an extension thereof to said first end, the length of said tube to said first end defining, in the space exterior of said tube and within said chamber to a plane transverse to said tube bore at said first end and including said first end, a volume equal to said selected volume.
 2. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said collection chamber is squeezable and is self-expandable to vary the volume therein and thereby vary the pressure therein.
 3. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said collection chamber has side walls configured and arranged to be squeezed together to diminish the volume therein and allowed to expand to restore said first volume capacity.
 4. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 having the further improvement comprising first and second members each forming part of said chamber and together forming the entirety of said chamber, said first member including said nozzle and said tube, and said second member including said compartment, said first and second members being removably and replaceably separable and forming a fluid-tight seal between them when joined together.
 5. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said maximum volume of said compartment is equal to said selected volume.
 6. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that at least said chamber is fashioned of material having sufficient transparency for viewing the leveL of liquid therein.
 7. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said nozzle and said compartment are opposite each other on said chamber and said tube and the bore therein extend in line from said nozzle toward said compartment.
 8. Container apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the interior of said compartment communicates with the interior of said chamber through an aperture which is sufficiently small, and in that the interior of said compartment is sufficiently fluid-tight except for said aperture, so that said compartment is not self-venting and said aperture blocks the free flow of said liquid between said chamber and said compartment.
 9. In container apparatus for the collection and storage of a liquid, and having i. a chamber with a nozzle and arranged to have the internal pressure thereof changed for the selective aspiration of said liquid thereinto via said nozzle, with a minimal cross sectional area in said chamber larger than a first value and at least a first volume capacity within said chamber, and ii. a compartment affixed to said chamber and having a maximum second volume therein smaller than said first volume, the interior of said compartment communicating with the interior of said chamber through an aperture of lesser cross section than said first value, and being fluid tight except for said aperture, iii. with said aperture being sufficiently small, and the interior of said compartment being sufficiently fluid-tight except for said aperture, so that said compartment is not self-venting and said aperture blocks the free flow of said liquid between said chamber and said compartment, the improvement comprising a tube having a bore coaxial with said nozzle, said tube extending from said nozzle into said chamber for a tube length such that the chamber volume defined between the outside surface of said tube, the side and end walls of said bulb member, and a plane including the end of said tube and perpendicular to the tube length, bears a selected relation to said second volume.
 10. In container apparatus for the collection of a selected volume of a liquid sample and which includes i. means forming a bulb member with a volume in excess of said selected value and arranged to have the pressure therein varied for aspirating said sample thereinto, ii. a nozzle having a bore therethrough attached to said bulb member with said nozzle bore extending to the interior of said bulb member and, iii. means forming an elongated storage volume for the liquid sample and having an open end and a closed end, the open end of the storage volume being in communication with the interior of said bulb member, the cross-sectional area of said storage volume being sufficiently small so that a liquid sample ingested into said bulb member through said nozzle does not flow freely from said bulb member into the storage volume when said storage volume is positioned vertically with its open end upward and liquid contained in the storage volume does not flow freely into the bulb when said storage volume is positioned vertically with its open end downward, the improvement comprising a tube of predetermined length and having a bore coaxial with said nozzle bore, said tube extending from said nozzle into said bulb member, the tube length being selected such that the volume defined between the outside surface of said tube, the side and end walls of said bulb member, and a plane including the end of said tube perpendicular to the tube length, is substantially equal to said selected volume. 